Raspberries in pots

Flinster

Afternoon!
i wondered if anyone grows raspberries in containers? I have very chalky soil and not enough room for planting in the ground anyway, but I do have 4 large tubs about 60cm diameter and 35cm deep. I’m looking at autumn flowering for now, but not sure how many to plant in one container? I know they may need replacing after a few years but I’m fine with that. Thanks

Lizzie27

There are some new varieties (sorry, name escapes me) now that are specially bred for pots so that may be the way to go. Otherwise I believe raspberries don't grow well in pots. Check on T & M. 

Nollie

The recommended spacing for raspberries is 45cm so for something like an Autumn Bliss, a single plant per pot. I have a one-year old AB in the ground and its trying to spread beyond the 60cm space already and it needs some support. I have just planted up a new soft fruit bed with Joan J raspberry canes, which are meant to be less sprawly, thornless and self-supporting, so have a look at that one. There are some new dwarf/patio types now, Ruby Beauty is one, but I dont know how they crop compared to the traditional varieties...

Allotment Boy

Autumn Bliss has been the staple late variety for a century but at last there are some replacements being bred that are better. Joan J is one I can recommend, there are others but I do not have personal experience of growing them yet. 

Flinster

Thanks. I’ve just seen the RHS recommending 1 cane to a 38cm pot, so I might try two canes in a 60cm. What kind of yield would I expect from 2 canes? I’m just trying to gauge how many I need- I’m the only one who eats them really and although I’m happy to freeze some for baking etc I don’t want to be overrun! Would 4 canes be adequate? I was looking at Joan J as that was my Mums name! 😀

Lizzie27

Not a lot from only two canes in my experience, barely enough for a mouthful but that could be because my raspberries don't get a lot of sunshine and are in clayey soil. They prefer acid sandy soil I think, but others might know better. I'm trying Polka this year to see if it crops better.

Nollie

I think it has to be Joan J for you then, Flinster in tribute to your mum Canes usually come in bundles of 5 or 6 - mine were in 5’s from Blackmoor nurseries, so you could try two in two pots and one in one. I planted mine in a raised bed 40cm high in a mix of grit, leafmould and acid compost. Can’t tell you about yield yet as they are new but probably less in pots than in the ground. 

Victoria Sponge

They aren't autumn fruiting but Ruby Beauty is a small raspberry, bred for pots. 

I have 3 (albeit in the ground) at my allotment. Last year was their first proper year and they had lots of fruit. Not as sweet as Joan J, but I ate them all. I seem to recall the raspberries were fairly small too.

They are quite expensive, or at least they were the other year when I first looked them up. I got mine for £4 each from B&Q off the dead plant trolley, but if I'd known what they were I'd have bought them all.

Flinster

Thanks everyone! Think I will go for 5 canes of Joan J and see how I get on.. if I can get myself organised fast enough.. so much to do and the snow is not helping lol!